Important point: ED1 up-regulation and neuronal loss were not observed in microelectrode stab controls, indicating that the phenotype did not result from the initial mechanical trauma of electrode implantation, but was associated with the foreign body response.

Only tested response 2 and 4 weeks after implantation. Makes sense for stab wound, but didn't the want to see a longer term response? Or do their electrodes just not last that long?

What did they coat the silicon probes in?

Used silastic to shock-mount their floating electrodes, but this apparently made no difference compared to conventional dental cement and bone screw mounting.

Suggest that chronic inflammatory response may be related to the absorption of fibrogen and complement to the surface of the device (device should not be porous?), the subsequent release of pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic cytokines by activated microphages, and the persistence of activated macrophages around materials which cannot be broken down.

Well then, how do you make the electrodes biochemically / biologically 'invisible'?

Persistently activated microglia are found around insoluble plaques in AD (plaques that cannot be / are not removed from the brain via proteolysis. Microglia form 'glitter cells' when they engulf undigestible stubstances). This has been termed 'frustrated phagocytosis', which results in increased secretion of proinflamatory cytokines that directly or indirectly cause neuronal death.

Significant reductions in neurofiliament reactivity was seen up to 230um from the microelectrode interface; this was not seen for stab wounds. Maximum recording distance is about 130um; 100um more reasonable in normal conditions.

Accumulating evidence from postmortem analysis of patients implanted with DBS electrodes reveals that chronic neuroinflamation is part of the response to such (duller, larger) implants as well. They have seen cell loss up to 1mm fromt the electrode surface here.